Authorities Identify Owner Of Emaciated Puppy

LANSING (WWJ/AP) – Authorities say they’ve identified the owner of an emaciated Siberian Husky puppy that was found at Mount Home Cemetery in Lansing.

Officials say the owner came to the Ingham County Animal Shelter in Mason voluntarily Wednesday and gave custody of the 12-week-old puppy to the shelter.

Caretakers at the cemetery found the dog, nicknamed “Odie,” Monday and called Ingham County Animal Control. The dog had skin infections and was barely able to move.

Animal Control Officer Juan Delatorre said the dog was a “shell of skin and bones” when he retrieved the pup from the cemetery. He said the dog cringed and whined when he tried to pick it up.

“It’s just crazy how bad of shape a 12-week-old pup is already in. It usually takes a long time for dogs to get like that so, this dog was clearly neglected from the day somebody had it,” said Delatorre.

The shelter said they were able to identify the owner, whose name wasn’t released pending charges, through tips generated by media reports.

“The person who gave us the number one tip said they didn’t want the reward,” shelter Director Jamie McAloon Lampman told The Lansing State Journal.

“That person wanted the reward to apply to care of the dog, which we thought was wonderful.”

Investigative reports and a warrant request will be forwarded to the county prosecutor’s office, likely next week, said McAloon Lampman.

Shelter officials said they’ve received numerous calls from people wanting to adopt the dog.

The dog will first go to a foster home before being placed for adoption. That could happen by this weekend because the dog’s condition is improving, said McAloon Lampman.

“He’s doing much better … He’s able to take his medicated bath without screaming, and he’s gaining a little bit of weight,” she said.